Backyard hens still banned in Poplar Grove

An ordinance that would allow residents to house hens in backyard coops for fresh eggs did not receive enough trustee votes to be forwarded to the Village Board, causing it to die at a December committee meeting. Administration Committee Chairman Ron Quimby said the elected officials feared that chickens would attract predators such as coyotes or cause unwanted smells and noises.

"You could buy eggs on (Illinois) 173 and around the area. You could ask the farmers what the hens are eating so you can make sure they are organic," Quimby offered as an alternative solution.

Poplar Grove remains part of a group of local municipalities that prohibits backyard chickens. Capron and Machesney Park rejected the idea while Rockton leaders said it's OK to keep any type of fowl as a pet, so long as residents have no more than five domestic animals.

The committee's decision was not what village resident Christine Wirth wanted.

Wirth approached village leaders in the fall about hens, arguing that the animals provided families an inexpensive source of food. People could monitor the chickens' food and living conditions to prevent others from consuming harmful food products.

She said she will now limit the amount of poultry and eggs that her family consumes.

"They did say that you can buy chickens from local farms, but the whole reason for getting chickens is to know what they consumed. I can't guarantee what those chickens are eating," Wirth said.

Village Administrator Mark Lynch said nothing prevents trustees from bringing up the ordinance again, although Wirth said it would take new leadership before the idea of backyard hens would be welcomed.

"We have to wait until there is a new board. It's a done deal for now," she said.